Roger Federer is targeting his 6th Wimbledon crown and 15th, record beating, major title, following a career of Wimbledon romance.
Federer's pursuit of a sixth Wimbledon title changed significantly on Friday. He doesn't have to worry about dealing with his nemesis, defending champion Rafael Nadal, who withdrew from the tournament because of knee tendonitis.
Roger Federer is currently at odds of 10/11 with SkyBet to win Wimbledon.
"It's unfortunate. I'm sad for him, because it must have been a very difficult decision to make," Federer said. "I'd love to play him. He's my main rival. We've had wonderful matches over the years, and especially the one here last year was the one that stands out."
Last year Nadal reduced Federer to tears by winning the longest singles final in tournament history, a 4-hour, 48-minute test of skill and will that ended 9-7 in the fifth set as darkness descended on centre court.
That 2008 setback ended Federer's streaks of 40 consecutive wins at Wimbledon and 65 in a row on grass, however the Swiss genius he is ready to start anew.
"The focus is on the first round, and the first point," Federer said. "Trying to regain my Wimbledon crown, stands over trying to beat Pete's record right now."
There would be something fitting if Federer surpasses Sampras at Wimbledon, a tournament that means so much to both men.
"I don't feel like I have extra pressure now having to win the tournament, there's a lot of weight off my shoulders since Paris," Federer added.
Many current players figure Federer is set to re-establish his supremacy at Wimbledon. As 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt said: "Roger's going to be the one to beat."
For Federer, there are other laurels at stake this fortnight: He could match Nadal's feat from 2008 of winning the French Open and Wimbledon in the same season, an achievement that hadn't been done since Bjorn Borg wowed the tennis world in 1980.
"I do think I'm the favorite, actually," confessed Federer. "With the success I've had and how close I came again last year," added Federer.
Meanwhile pundits are predicting Federer's toughest test will come in the form of Andy Murray.
Murray reached his first Grand Slam final at the 2008 U.S. Open, and he showed how his versatility is growing by making the French Open quarterfinals.
"The buildup beforehand is a little bit more stressful than other tournaments," Murray revealed, "but once Wimbledon starts, it's like all the other Slams."
Follow Roger Federer's quest for a sixth Wimbledon title online with Bet365's free live streaming service that will provide free streams of over 200 matches live from Wimbledon.
